Is renewable energy cheaper than nuclear
Some argue for nuclear as the basis of the Australian electricity energy but the data says nuclear would be more than 2.2 times the cost of renewable energy with sufficient battery storage of 20GW.
Nuclear
Nuclear power is often presented as the answer to climate change, and this category tests that claim against cost, time and evidence. Our posts examine the economics of new reactors, the subsidies that nuclear receives, and how renewable energy now compares on price, including UK nuclear against wind, solar carparks in France and the experience of Ontario. Updates such as Nuclear Update 2026 and Nuclear Renaissance v4.0 ask who is really building the so-called renaissance.
Other posts cover safety and waste: the nuclear waste problem, low-dose radiation from accidents, accident impacts for a proposed Tarong nuclear plant, and life cycle analysis of nuclear power. We look at uranium mining, small modular reactors, thorium reactors and fusion, asking whether any will arrive in time or at a competitive price. Several articles look at the UAE plant and at claims made about France.
The common thread is that building nuclear takes too long and costs too much when solar, wind and batteries can be deployed quickly and cheaply. Fifteen myths of nuclear power are examined one by one. If you want the arguments against nuclear as an option for Australia and the world, with the evidence behind them, start here.
Nuclear power is often presented as the answer to climate change, and this category tests that claim against cost, time and evidence. Our posts examine the economics of new reactors, the subsidies that nuclear receives, and how renewable energy now compares on price, including UK nuclear against wind, solar carparks in France and the experience of Ontario. Updates such as Nuclear Update 2026 and Nuclear Renaissance v4.0 ask who is really building the so-called renaissance.
Other posts cover safety and waste: the nuclear waste problem, low-dose radiation from accidents, accident impacts for a proposed Tarong nuclear plant, and life cycle analysis of nuclear power. We look at uranium mining, small modular reactors, thorium reactors and fusion, asking whether any will arrive in time or at a competitive price. Several articles look at the UAE plant and at claims made about France.
The common thread is that building nuclear takes too long and costs too much when solar, wind and batteries can be deployed quickly and cheaply. Fifteen myths of nuclear power are examined one by one. If you want the arguments against nuclear as an option for Australia and the world, with the evidence behind them, start here.
Small Power – Why Nuclear Is Not an Option
Small power from rooftop solar and batteries and not nuclear is the best. Nuclear was suggested would be too cheap to meter but is too costly to remember.
Nuclear SMR Reactors
Nuclear SMR Reactors are small and modular and it is proposed they overcome 2 of the conventional nuclear issues, cost and refuelling. In reality, they are still a decade or more away from commericalisation and the value is yet to be confirmed.
Nuclear Power Not An Option
The conclusion is clear: Nuclear power not a sensible option. It fails on multiple front – technology, economic and political, yet the industry continues to push for nuclear as a viable option for decarbonisation in the next 20 years.
